Nepal is seeking to further strengthen its cooperation with China in key areas, including investment and infrastructure development, according to Tribhuban Dhar Tuladhar, president of the Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Tuladhar said that the country is working to boost its production competitiveness and gain access to the Chinese market.
"China is [such a] big importer, not only exporter in the global business. So Nepal is trying to enter the Chinese market, because Nepal's cost of production is very high -- because [we have] small production, not big production in the factories, not very big factories like in China -- it is very difficult to compete with China," said Tuladhar.
Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is visiting China from Monday to Thursday. According to Nepalese media reports, Oli's delegation comprises about 48 private sector representatives, a sign that the two countries may look to further expand trade.
Tuladhar spoke highly of the initiative, noting that it will boost trade between Nepal and China.
"After this policy, maybe the Nepali industry will increase and we will see [if we can meet the market demand]. Now Chinese businessmen have started to come to Nepal for buying and investment. The Chinese embassy of Nepal's commercial section has sent 30 people for training for tea production," he said.
Tuladhar also expressed hope to enhance cooperation with China in several areas.
"We hope that China helps Nepal [with] production, and China is going [to build] one industrial park in eastern Nepal. [China is] one of our good partners in business, and in investment in hydropower, in roads. China is one of [our best] partners of Nepal," said Tuladhar.
Nepal seeks deeper ties with China to boost economic growth: official
Senior representatives from major regional news media organizations, gathering at the ongoing 12th Global Video Media Forum (VMF) in China, say they are looking to amplify the voices of the media in the Global South to help consolidate cooperation and friendship in an ever more challenging global environment.
The forum opened in Quanzhou in east China's Fujian Province on Tuesday, bringing together 200 media representatives from over 60 countries and regions in the historic coastal city.
By working more closely together, media organizations in the Global South can reap rewards that might otherwise be unavailable, according to Ahmed Nadeem, Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Broadcast Union.
"If we work together, there is an opportunity for us to bring out the best from these Global South countries who have much less resources," he said.
Other media representatives at the VMF stressed that in challenging times, it is even more important for developing countries to have their voices heard on the global stage.
"[The Global] South media have a lot of responsibility to build a new opinion," said Issoufou Sare, Director-General of BF1 Television.
"[The media can provide] solutions for misunderstandings or stereotypes. So the media have a major role. They can bridge our cultures and make us know each other better," said Feten Fardi, head of Arab and International Cooperation Unit, Arab States Broadcasting Union.
The event also witnessed the launch of the "Global South Media Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism and Joint Initiative," a program to support closer cooperation led by China Media Group.
"That will help to promote our voices, our realities to make the world know better about our customs, realities, about our history, about our culture, customs, about our problems, but also our achievements," said Martin Hacthoun, chief editor of Press Latina News Agency.
The two-day VMF is being held under the theme "Intelligence Without Frontiers, Vision Beyond The Horizon -- Media's Role in Communication and Cultural Exchange."
Launched by the CCTV Video News Agency (CCTV+) in 2011, the VMF is an annual professional journalism forum focusing on the latest trends and innovations in news and journalism, which provides a highly specialized, unique and interactive platform for domestic and foreign media peers.
Media groups aim to amplify voice of Global South at VMF
